What a Near Death Experience Can Teach Us About Life with Author Susie Levan

In December of 1988, today's special guest Susie Levan and her seven-year-old daughter, Lauren, were forced into the trunk of a car for hours in the searing Florida heat. Susie’s new husband, Alan, was taken in another caron an hour-long drive to the bank, of which he was Chairman and CEO, to withdraw ransom money from a safe. Three perpetrators had forced their way into their home the previous afternoon, holding Lauren and housekeeper Petrona captive,under the guise of delivering a Christmas poinsettia. They later ambushed Susie and Alan at the door as they returned late at night from a meeting. As time in the trunk passed, struggling to live, Susie experienced a Near Death Experience (NDE), visiting heaven and coming back, from which she’d emerged a radically changed human being. Because Susie came back, she understood this to be a powerful tool to conduct herself differently in the world—a message she continues to strive to communicate to others Susie tells the story in her book Getting to Forgiveness — What a Near-Death Experience Can Teach Us About Loss, Resilience and Love. She shares how she emerged as a stronger soul after her unique life events blending spiritual thought-provoking lessons, meaningful insights and life lessons of gratitude, forgiveness and acceptance. In addition to being an author, Levan is a community leader, philanthropist and founder of the Work-Life Balance Institute for Women (a 501c3 nonprofit). Susie and her husband Alan are co-founders of the Susie & Alan B. Levan NSU Ambassadors Board. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the United Way of Broward County, Hispanic Unity of Florida, Nova Southeastern University, Junior Achievement of South Florida, March of Dimes, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, Habitat for Humanity Broward, and Women of Color Network, Inc.